Six Days and Counting... Sneak Peek and Tutorial

Top-Down Raglan using Percentage System, in progress! Recipe coming soon...
Knit in Berroco Blackstone Tweed (the yummiest tweed I've ever met...) on US size 5 and 7's.

Ravelers can see it here.

I went into the bedroom closet the other day to discover the light on, a chair pulled up to the shelving, clothes askew, and a corner suspiciously ripped on a strategically placed package...at the very tippy-top of the shelf.  As recent as last year I could have questioned my older of the two, but seeing as how he's literally grown a foot since last Christmas and can reach the top shelf as easily as I can,  I instead (through intense deductive reasoning...) turned my attention to a certain six year old who is always complaining that she is still the shortest in her class.

As of today we have 180 pounds of dumbbells shoved against the door of the exercise room to hopefully vanquish her unending attempts to see "what the heck is behind this door?" And I have hidden things in so many places around the house that I had to compose a map to remember where I've put it all.  The child is unrelenting!

And so here I am, doing the very thing that she's so desperately trying to do herself... giving a little sneak peek!  I've been working for a few weeks on a Christmas present that is thankfully on it's last sleeve.  And after working and reworking the turned hem on the body I knew I had to have a better plan for the matching sleeves.  I thought I would share it with you!

It's a simple percentage top-down raglan (pattern recipe and modifications to come...) with turned cuffs and hem instead of a ribbing.  Where the trouble arose for me was that I have never worked a turned cuff at the end of the body or sleeve, but only at the beginning.  Picking up stitches from the wrong side and staying on the correct ridge can be a real booger... so I came up with a simple solution that I'm sure people much wiser than me have been doing for years! But here it is...

make a guide.

Shocking as that may be (ha, ha) this was a "Eureka!" moment for me. 

When working a sweater in stockinette and coming to the end of the body or sleeve work one purl turning row then change to your contrasting color for the inside of the hem.  Knit this to the length you want your hem to be (I knit 2 inches for the body, and 1.5 inches for each cuff).  Then using a long strand of waste yarn, thread your tapestry needle through the garter ridge just above the row you will be joining your hem to the body and binding off.

Doing this helps keep you on the right path (literally) and you won't find your hem wandering about your sweater (found this out the hard way!).  With this guide I could easily pick up the garter "bump" below this round and then bind off my hem using the three-needle bind off.

After binding off and checking my work on the right side I simply removed the waste yarn and had a tidy bind off that, thankfully, was straight!

I'll post more photos, yarn info, and pattern modifications for the top-down raglan after it's been gifted.  But this has truly been a joy to knit.  It's just a bunch of tweedy stockinette in the round... but honestly... what could be better?  Hopefully this tutorial will help when you want to work a turned hem for top-down sweaters.  It's been a life-saver for me!

Happy Knitting!


----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kelly-ann (on ravelry)  DATE: 12/19/2009 01:07:25 PM What a handsome sweater! I love your idea about putting in waste yarn when doing the hem - so simple and logical, but it never occurred to me. Thanks for sharing ;)
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jodi DATE: 12/19/2009 01:47:44 PM This sweater looks so cozy and wonderful! Thanks for the hem tip.
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: holly  DATE: 12/21/2009 12:02:02 PM That sweater looks lovely! Earthy and warm!

In Progress

This has truly been a mild summer, and it seems that when the weather is cooler my mind really turns to wool... and needles.  Last week I had a hankering for some good natural wool and I have to say I love Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool.  I know this might not be the first place one's mind goes to when thinking about a good earthy wool (or even second or third) but it really is great stuff.  And it comes in such a large amount... (227 g) that you can leave the store with two skeins and be ready to knock a sweater quickly.

I also knew which pattern I wanted to pair my wool with as well.  I found it on Ravelry a few weeks ago, Francis Revisted, by Beth Silverstein, and I loved it immediately.  This is my first time to knit a top down sweater, which is fantastic.  Or a sweater with raglan sleeves, which is also great!  This may be my favorite combination by far, and the design ideas are endless. 

I've finished the body and first sleeve, so only have the second sleeve and cowl to finish.  I'm hoping to gain some length on the body when blocking.  I'm knitting the small, which fits perfectly, but is a little short for me.  I know that one of the joys of knitting from the top down means you can try on as you go... but I'm too lazy to put all those stitches on waste yarn to try it on... So instead I hope to pick up a little length at the end.

I love the seed stitch detail on the hem, sleeves, and cowl as well.  I considered continuing the body and sleeves with the stockinette stitch, and may try that later on a different raglan.  Hopefully I'll have my Francis Revisited finished by the weekend!

I also have another sweater almost finished that I'm not convinced about.  I've been working on the Gathered Pullover from Interweave and I'm really not liking the holes created by working the center cable.  If you've knitted this and had a similar issue let me know if you have words of wisdom to correct it!  I'm almost finished with this one as well, but the cable has me stalling...

 I hope the weather's nice where you are today!  It's cool and raining here, so I've made a pot of chicken noodle soup and a little hot chocolate.  Needless to say I am totally in the mood for some fall knitting.  So I'm going to get back to finishing my other sleeve... Happy Knitting!

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura D. DATE: 09/22/2009 03:26:45 PM awesome color and yes its cold here in NW KS good day to knit (if i could pry my fingers off the cocoa cup). toodles!
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Georganna  DATE: 09/23/2009 09:58:23 AM Your sweater looks so pretty! I love the earthy heathery look of Lion Brand Fisherman Wool too. I'm using it for a sampler afghan which I hope to finish some time before my demise ;-). Blessings, G
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa  DATE: 09/23/2009 11:11:52 AM Looks great. Makes me want to go get some more Fisherman's Wool....
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Leslie  DATE: 09/26/2009 03:14:26 PM Hey, it's nice to see you back here, and with a cute sweater, too! I love knitting top down...it's such a smart way to knit.
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Erin  DATE: 10/08/2009 11:19:19 AM I agree with you, too! LB Fisherman's Wool is one of my favorites, especially after it's dyed. It fluffs up nicely. I was so excited when they came out with the dark brown and speechless when they came out with the light brown and marls. =D

First Sweater

Cobblestone by Jared Flood
Knit using Cascade 220 Tweed, Olive colorway.
Knit with US size 6 circular needles.
Ravelers find it here!

Hey guys!  I've been pretty quite for the last few months.  Other things have been taking up a lot of time, but thankfully I've been able to keep knitting.  I started Cobblestone last, errr... October (that's so embarrassing to admit!), and finished both sleeves then.  In January I hurt my back and was on the sofa for a week (that's embarrassing too!), so thus began work on the body of the sweater.  I had hoped to have Cobblestone finished by the time we went skiing in March, but had a glaring mistake in the yoke that I tried to pretend wasn't glaring for, oh about 5 inches.  By the time I acknowledged the mistake I was in no mood to tink so I stuffed it in a bag and forgot about the whole thing until just a couple of weeks ago!

I started work on organizing and arranging my work/yarn room (been in the house a year, embarrassed yet again!) and found A's Cobblestone waiting patiently in the corner.  So I put in a DVD and spent the next day tinking back 5 inches.  Thankfully after that things went along smoothly, and a mere 2 days later I had a finished sweater, blocked and ready to wear!

This was an incredibly easy "first sweater" pattern.  I was surprised at how well everything turned out, with nothing being wonkey anywhere!  Maybe it's just me, but I've dreaded my first sweater for 2 years because of the possibility of something being wonkey! 

I knit the small version and after A tried it on, everything fit perfectly.  I extended the length of the arms slightly, but besides that had no modifications.  The Cascade Tweed (aka my favorite workhorse of a yarn) paired perfectly with the pattern and the stitch definition looks really good.  I look forward to knitting this pattern again, maybe in a charcoal or oatmeal tweed?

Hopefully I'll be able to get some photos of A modeling his sweater, rather than Lu and myself (like the striped pj's?).  He was terribly excited about my actually finishing this project, as he thought it would never be done!  But it's amazing how the process of organizing and reorganizing a room can give you just the lift needed to knock out some UFO's.  I hope everyone's doing well!  I'm looking forward to being back online and posting on more finished knits!  Happy Knitting!

 ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: AA  DATE: 08/10/2009 01:43:59 PM I've begged for socks and longed for my sweater. . . . well, the old saying is true--good things come to those who wait. My very first knit! What a treasure! It's perfect in every way (sleeves and all)! I no longer have to begrudge all those little babies who have received their first handknit sweater from JLA. I have my own-ha! You can bet I'm already eyeing that first crisp late fall Saturday morning on the deck watching college gameday with a cup of joe, my Cobblestone and my favorite jeans. And I'll have it with me everynight in the ski mountains this winter. Thanks, babe--I love it! And perfectly timed.
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cybelde Jong  DATE: 08/10/2009 03:09:12 PM What a lovely comment - I think your handknit is being appreciated!
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ulla V. DATE: 08/10/2009 03:40:15 PM What a LOVELY surprise to find a post from your blog - that made me so happy. :)) I see that you have been busy making gorgeous stuff! (I knew you would). Cobblestone is a great pattern and it suits so well. My husband still wears his green one. Your Cobblestone turned out beautifully - I really like the yarn you used. So what are you going to knit now? Another sweater? How funny that you picked that excact kind of lace for your 1st laceknitting. Isn't the way of knitting called fan and feather? (or something like that). It does look a lot like the lacepattern I knitted for my 1st laceknitting experience not so long ago. I made a little dress for our 3 year old niece. Knitting lace is rather funny... Have a nice time, Jennifer. :)) Summer greetings, Ulla
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Leslie  DATE: 08/18/2009 07:40:14 AM Wow, I'm so happy to see you back in this space! That is a great sweater pattern and it looks perfect in the tweed. My first sweater was a mess and it's not anything I'd ever show anyone :-)

Good Golly Miss Molly

Baby Sweater on Two Needles (aka February Baby Sweater) from Knitter's Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann.

Knitted using Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Molly Colorway.

Knitted on US 6 Crystal Palace Bamboo circs, 24 inch.

Ravelers see it here.

My mom called me last month and announced, "Tim is having a baby!  Make that sweater!!"  Now this is a big (huge/ginormous) exclamation for my mother, considering when she is visiting I get in trouble for always having needles out.  For some reason, non-knitters think that we knitters aren't paying attention if we are clicking away, which of course, is completely false!  It actually makes us better listeners, calmer therapists, and flat out better friends.  So I was so surprised when my mom specifically requested the Baby Sweater on Two Needles (aka February Baby  Sweater, aka FBS) by Elizabeth Zimmermann.  Does this mean I can now click away when Mom's in town?  I doubt it... but it is a baby step.

Actually when she asked for it, or demanded it, (tomato... tomahto) I was happy to oblige.  I've made this sweater once before and loved every minute of it.  Probably because it's worsted weight lace that whips up in about four days of knitting.  And anything that involves Malabrigo, well... 'nuff said.

I tried something a bit differently on this one and chose to do a M1L increase instead of EZ's M1 choice of backward loop over the right needle.  I was hoping to avoid the small hole that this increase shows in the pattern.  I'm not so sure how it worked out as it created a small ridge on my increase rows, so I don't know that I would use it again.  I also decided to make it more of a swing coat, so I left out the decrease rows on the waist and spaced the button holes evenly in the yoke.  I loved how the buttons turned out so I know I'll be using those modifications again.

I've got several other projects going now as well, including two sleeves worth of Cobblestone for Andy, and our October Mitten of the Month.  So I'll be posting some progress shots later this week of these.  I followed Jared Flood's advice (i.e. epiphany) from his Spiral Yoke Pullover and knitted the sleeves first.  I think this is just brilliant as sleeves are usually the worst of mojo stealers.  It really is working and I'm actually enjoying finishing up the second sleeve!  (Give it a try!) 

But as for the FBS, there are already more in my future.  I've tried to cast on some alternatives, but I just end up frogging.  So as long as friends are having babies, I'll be winding Mal and knitting this sweater.  And goodness knows if it allows me to clickity-clack without getting the raised brow from Mom then I'll knit as many as neccessary!

 ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ulla V.  DATE: 09/21/2008 03:28:02 PM I don't think that I ever will get tired of this cardigan!! And in the colour you have chosen it's extremely beautiful....I just love the way you show it in the picture - like a little person ;0) The "you're not listening because you are knitting - thing" is SO annoying!! I feel the same way as you, and listen even more concentrated when I'm knitting!! Tried it in high school, but the teachers didn't approve of my needles and yarn during classes - I wonder why? ;0) I hope your mom will allow you to knit for ever and ever during her visits...it's actually a part of our personality to knit ;0))) Have a wonderful day, Jennifer - or is it night at your place? Ulla :0)
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Myriam  DATE: 09/22/2008 07:53:32 PM Awwww i love it :) i wish someone would have some babies so i would make one. i know how it is about non-knitters not thinking we are listening-if only they knew :)
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Leslie  DATE: 09/23/2008 07:18:58 AM Wow, Jen, this is so perfect! I love that color and those buttons, too. It's perfect. I still haven't tried the Mal yet...still wondering about washability for babies. (I need to get over it, I know!)
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jason  DATE: 09/23/2008 08:55:25 PM Wow, that's really beautiful. I like the mods you made too. Any worry about not using superwash for a baby though?
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise  DATE: 09/25/2008 03:46:16 PM That looks so sweet, I love the color of it. The buttons really finish it off nicely :)
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Alice  DATE: 09/27/2008 07:31:58 PM The buttons... the color... everything about this little sweater is perfect! I think you've inspired me to pick mine back up and try to get through the lace ;) Miss our morning coffee talks... why must we be so busy!
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Beate  DATE: 01/06/2009 03:05:33 PM Aaaaah. Cute color, cute buttons and great pictures.
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Hena  DATE: 07/23/2009 03:41:19 PM sweater looks great, love the color, the buttons are really cute.